We're about:

I am a passionate fine art and commercial photographer and really enjoy the energy of being around other passionate artists.

The purpose of this group is to get together and share the excitement of photography while learning and improving your photography skills. We will have frequent meetups as well as fee based workshops and seminars with an occasional weekend workshop trip for those, like myself, who love the landscape.

This is not your typical photography Meetup group. I really try to go beyond their group "blind leading the blind" shoots and casual get togethers. With over forty years of photography experience AND a similar amount of time teaching photography I want to help you "fast track" your way to improving your photography. I have taught at a number of very prestigious photography programs (Art Center, Otis are two examples) as well as The Ansel Adams Workshops, The Friends of Photography, The Victor School and others. I lectured nationally on lighting techniques for Broncolor and large format techniques for Sinar.

While most of my professional work is digital I still love black and white film and maintain my own darkroom. Most of my personal work originates as black and white negatives shot on 4x5 or 8x10 film.

Everyone who is excited about photography and wants to improve their skills is welcome!

Our activities will include evening Meetup get-togethers, day long photo shoots and weekend workshops. I have over forty years of experience photographing both personally and professionally so I feel that I have a lot of very solid experience to share. While the weekend workshops will usually have a tuition fee attached I really try to keep my fees reasonanble. Typically my 2-3 day workshops are about 1/2 to 2/3 the tuition of similar programs from others as well as my programs sponsored by an outside source.

What is YOUR responsibility? The Meetup is open to photographers at every level of experience. I really love to help you expand your skills. What I ask of you in return is that if you do RSVP with a "yes" that you commit to attending and paying the fee if there is one. If you RSVP "maybe" I ask that you remember to update your RSVP to "yes" ( and pay) or to "no" if you cannot attend. Since many of the landscape activities involve some travel I do need to prepare by making the necessary reservations and carpooling arrangements. I also limit the trips to 8-12 attendees so if you RSVP with either a "yes" or "maybe" you are taking up a spot that will not be available to someone else. PLEASE be considerate to your organizer (that's me) and your fellow photographers by monitoring your RSVP to be accurate.

As an example, I organized a day trip (free) to Joshua Tree NP last April to photograph wild flowers. I had 10-12 who responded with a "yes." I organized carpooling for all of those photographers that requested it. Then only 1 person showed up.

So, again please be considerate to your organizer and fellow photographers! If you are a no-show for three events I will be removing you from our group.